CFB Football Previews – Northwestern Wildcats vs Boston College Eagles
If you’re looking for an exciting early game to watch on Saturday, don’t sleep on Northwestern/Boston College, which features two underrated teams.
NCAAF Week 1: Northwestern vs Boston College Preview & Pick
Date: Saturday, September 3, 2011
Venue: Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Broadcast: ESPNU HD
Northwestern Wildcats at Boston College Eagles Betting Lines from BetOnline.com
Money Line: OFF
Spread: Boston College -3
Over/Under: 45
Click here for the ATS Gambling Report for this game!
Northwestern Wildcats (0-0)
However you feel about Northwestern’s overall chances in the Big Ten this season, the Wildcats should at least be fun to watch. Dan Persa was one of the conference’s best quarterbacks last season before an Achilles’ tendon injury ended his season. He’ll return this year to helm an above-average attack that averaged 235.2 passing yards and 157.4 rushing yards last season.
Problem: the latest reports suggest that Persa won’t quite be ready for Saturday’s opener. He’s reportedly close, close enough that he’s probable for Northwestern’s second game, but the Wildcats won’t rush him back. Kain Colter is likely to start in his place.
If the Wildcats offense isn’t up to speed, they’ll have to rely on their “D,” which allowed 29 points and 427.7 yards per game last season. Gulp.
Boston College Eagles (0-0)
Boston College truly feels it can build on last season’s 7-6 campaign. The Eagles had the country’s top run defense and were 12th overall but their offense left a lot to be desired. Boston College ranked 109th in the FBS in total offense. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
But the Eagles believe their “O” can catch up to their “D” this season. Their running game is in good hands thanks to Montel Harris, who ran for 1,242 yards and totalled 12 touchdowns last year. Sophomore quarterback Chase Rettig has the reins again this season. He wasn’t very good at all last year, completing just 51.3 per cent of his passes for 1,238 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions. But the coaching staff firmly believes he’ll improve this year.
The pick:
Even though the matchup is even on paper, and even though BC is 1-7 against the spread over its last eight at home, I think this game looks like it could turn ugly for Northwestern.
Northwestern’s strength is its quarterback; he likely won’t play. Northwestern will have to rely on the run more; Boston College as the country’s top run-stopping team last season.
Northwestern’s biggest weakness on defense last season was stopping the run: Boston College’s top offensive strength is running the ball.
See the trend? Boston College is an awkward matchup for the Wildcats if they don’t have Persa – and I don’t believe they will. Don’t be surprised if Northwestern’s usual high-flying attack doesn’t look like itself on Saturday.
Northwestern vs Boston College prediction: Boston College 24, Northwestern 14
Money Line: OFF
Spread: Boston College -3
Over/Under: UNDER 45
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